Devika and Puneja Bridges in Udhampur & Doda Districts
Union Minister of State Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has inaugurated the two important Bridges Devika and Puneja in Udhampur and Doda districts respectively in Jammu and Kashmir through virtual platform.
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Key-Points
Devika Bridge: Apart from taking care of traffic congestion and developmental needs of the Udhampur town area, Devika Bridge will also help in smooth passage of Army convoys and vehicles.
Puneja Bridge: The 50-meter-long Puneja Bridge was constructed by BRO at Bhaderwah in Doda District. Basoli-Bani-Bhaderwah road is a vital alternate link to the Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah and Kashmir valley from Pathankot (Punjab) region without passing Jammu and Udhampur.
Pertinent to mention that the Devika River Bridge is a 10-meter two-lane class AA/70 R Load Bridge, in Udhampur constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 74.18 lac and the strategically important Puneja Bridge is a 50-meter two-lane class AA/70 R Load Bridge on Basoli-Bani-Bhaderwah road constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 409.25 lac. Both the bridges were constructed by the Border Roads Organisation.
The Union Minister also inaugurated Puneja Bridge constructed by BRO in Bhaderwah in Doda District. Basoli-Bani-Bhaderwah road is a vital alternate link to the Doda, Kishtwar, Bhaderwah, and Kashmir valley from Pathankot (Punjab) region without passing through Jammu and Udhampur. Dr.Jitendra Singh said that new connectivity and infrastructure projects will make Doda emerge as a new center of development.
Border Roads Organisation
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and friendly neighboring countries.
Officers from the Border Roads Engineering Service (BRES) and personnel from the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) form the parent cadre of the Border Roads Organisation.
It is also staffed by officers and troops drawn from the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers on extra regimental employment (on Deputation).
Currently, the organisation maintains operations in twenty-one states, one UT (Andaman and Nicobar Islands), and neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
The BRO operates and maintains over 32,885 kilometers of roads and about 12,200 meters of permanent bridges in the country.